The best cycling routes around Almansa

The hermitage is a prominent natural viewpoint, offering panoramic views of Caudete, the Vinalopó Valley, and on clear days, even the sea. It forms part of the official PR-AB-50 trail, a well-marked circular route of approximately 13.5 km and moderate difficulty (550 m to 1,153 m elevation gain), which allows hikers to enjoy panoramic views, Mediterranean vegetation, and a nearby historic snow well. The area is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding, with several notable routes.

The Hermitage of Santa Bárbara is located on the summit of the Sierra de la Oliva, also known as the Sierra Santa Bárbara, at an altitude of approximately 1,153 meters, about 5 kilometers southeast of Caudete. Built around 1580 at the initiative of the people of Caudete, following a period of severe storms with hail, the mountain peak was chosen as a place of spiritual protection, with the trust that Santa Bárbara would safeguard the crops and the population. Traditionally under the jurisdiction of the parish of Santa Catalina, the hermitage is visited every May 1st in a pilgrimage: pilgrims ascend steep paths in homage to the saint's martyrdom, reflecting sacrifice and devotion.

The Palace of the Counts of Cirat, also known as “the Big House”, is a Renaissance-style building of civil character. It was built in the last quarter of the 16th century by the nobleman from Almansa, Don Alfonso de Pina. This palace is located in the Plaza de Santa María in the town of Almansa. This palace is a historical and architectural testimony that deserves to be appreciated for its beauty and cultural significance. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Almansa, I recommend exploring this magnificent Renaissance building. 🏰🌟

The original construction could have been the work of the Almohads, who often used the rammed earth technique for their defensive buildings. The remains of rammed earth walls in this castle, traditionally attributed to the Almohad period, were actually built during the first decades of Christian rule, at the end of the 13th century or beginning of the 14th century. In the 14th century, Almansa and its fortress were incorporated into the lordship of Villena. Don Juan Manuel took advantage of the previous construction and ordered its walls to be rebuilt.

The Archpriestal Church of the Assumption in Almansa is an impressive historical and architectural monument. Located in the Plaza de Santa María, next to the Palace of the Counts of Cirat, this church was built in several stages from the 16th to the 19th century.

For lunches and routes

This mill uses a canal approximately 2 km long, divided into two sections. One of approximately 1.5 km upstream and another that covers the rest. The canal is four meters wide and reaches seven meters in the last part of the first section, which serves as a dam. The mill has three floors. The walls perpendicular to the canal are made of stone, while the other walls are made of brick, following the typical construction of the area. Furthermore, next to the mill are the outbuildings that once served as housing for the former owners. If you are interested in exploring more, you can also visit Rambla de los Molinos, located in the old flour mill of the same name. It has been rehabilitated as a Nature Classroom and Environmental Interpretation Center. It offers an interesting overview of the socioeconomic, natural and physical environment of the Almansa district. 😊🌄🚶‍♀️

The patronage of this church - "Santa MARIA ASUNCION" or "Nuestra Señora de La Asunción" (in German-speaking countries it is called "Mariä Himmelfahrt") - refers to one of the many memorial or feast days in honor of the Mother of God Mary in the church year. It goes back to the feast of her bodily assumption into heaven, which the (Catholic) Church celebrates annually on August 15th. In Christian Orthodox churches the feast is celebrated under the name "Maria Entschläfung". In rural areas it is part of the local custom - depending on the region - that on this special day bundles of herbs are collected by the population and blessed in the festive service.